Manila: Stable supply and prices of pork products for both market and industry may be seen following the recent lifting of the import ban from Spain, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday. This comes after the DA released Department Circular No. 22, which recognized regionalization measures for African swine fever, as well as the resumption of imports of pork meat, pig skin, and other swine by-products from Spain.
According to Philippines News Agency, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa mentioned in a phone interview that stakeholders and consumers will benefit from the expected price stability despite the effects of the recent global oil surges. He emphasized the importance of lifting the ban and implementing regionalization in Spain to ensure diverse sources of meat from other countries, contributing to the stability of supply and prices.
As of Wednesday, prices of frozen kasim (shoulder) in Metro Manila range from PHP210 per kilogram to PHP280 per kilo, while frozen liempo (belly) ranges from PHP280 to PHP360 per kilo, according to the DA-Bantay Presyo (price watch). The stable prices will not only benefit local markets but will also cover industrial products, such as processed meat and hotdogs.
De Mesa further elaborated that the affordability of pork products would ensure the sustained stability of prices for processed goods like canned goods and luncheon meat. The regionalization strategy will also secure stable sourcing from Spain, a key pork supplier, by allowing areas unaffected by outbreaks to continue exports to the Philippines without compromising meat integrity.
Under the new directive, all import transactions from Spain must comply with bilateral import protocols, Philippine quarantine regulations, and the guidelines under Administrative Circular No. 12 series of 2025. This circular established the framework for bilateral recognition of ASF regionalization among accredited trading partners.
The Philippines initially imposed a temporary ban on Spanish pork imports last year through DA Memorandum Order No. 75, following the reporting of ASF cases in parts of Europe, which led to tighter border controls aimed at protecting the local hog industry.
